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https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/nfl-playoff-picture-standings-matchups-scenarios
NFL Playoff Picture: Standings, Matchups, Tiebreakers After Sunday of Week 16
By DANIEL RAPAPORT
As the NFL regular season nears the finish line, the playoff picture is starting to crystallize. In some divisions—like the AFC East, which the Patriots have clinched for the ninth straight time—it's been business as usual, but the Rams and Jaguars have both come back from years of futility to clinch their respective divisions.
Seven out of the eight division titles have been decided, with just the NFC South still up for grabs between the Saints and Panthers. But the Wild Card spots, particularly in the AFC, are still up for grabs with a number of scenarios still in play. We're here to help you sort through the complex bracketology and simplify each team's path to the postseason.
Before we get to the current playoff picture, let's review the qualification rules, which are the same for both the AFC and the NFC.
• The winners of each division—the North, South, East and West—qualify for the playoffs and earn the top four seeds. The team with the best record earns the No. 1 seed, the second-best earns the No. 2 seed, etc. If a team wins its division with a 7-9 record while another team qualifies as a Wild Card with an 11-5 record, the division winner will be seeded higher.
• The two teams with the best record that do not win their division qualify in the Wild Card spots, seeded fifth and sixth.
• If two teams in the same division finish with the same record, the first tiebreaker is their head-to-head record. If the teams split the two games played against each other, the next tiebreaker is the teams' record against teams within the division. If the in-division records are the same, the next tiebreaker is the teams' records in games against common opponents. If that too is is the same, the fourth tiebreaker is the teams' record against teams within the conference.
• If two teams in different divisions finish with the same record, the first tiebreaker is the head-to-head matchup, if applicable. If the teams did not play each other, the next tiebreaker is the teams' record within the conference. If that too is the same, the third tiebreaker is the teams' record against common opponents.
• The top two teams in each conference receive first-round byes. Each conference's No. 3 seed hosts the No. 6 seed, while the No. 4 seed hosts the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card Round.
• In every playoff game, the higher seed hosts the lower seed.
• After the Wild Card round comes the Divisional Round, during which the top seed in each conference plays the lowest remaining seed, while the No. 2 seed plays the higher-seeded team. There is no bracket as there is the NBA playoffs; matchups in the Divisional Round depend on the winners in the Wild Card round.
Now that the clerical stuff is out of the way, let's get to the playoff picture.
Note: (x) = clinched playoff berth |
= clinched division title | (z) = clinched first-round bye | (*) = clinched number one seed
AFC
Current Wild Card matchups
6. Titans at 3. Jaguars, 5. Ravens at 4. Chiefs.
1. Patriots, 2. Steelers have byes, will host Divisional Round games.
Seeding breakdown:
1. xy-New England Patriots (12-3 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 9-2 | first place in AFC East)
Remaining games: vs. Jets
The Bills hung around early thanks to an uncharacteristic pick-six thrown by Tom Brady, but the Patriots eventually found their groove offensively and blew out the Bills 37-16. With just a home game against the Jets remaining on the schedule, the Patriots are in terrific shape to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
It appears that, once again, all AFC roads lead to Foxborough. If Jacksonville loses at San Francisco, the Patriots will clinch a first-round bye, and a Pittsburgh loss in Houston would guarantee the Pats home-field advantage before the final week of the season.
2. xy-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3 | DIV: 5-0 | AFC: 8-2 | first place in AFC North)
Remaining games: at Texans, vs. Browns
Last week's brutal loss at home to New England, which was sealed by tight end Jesse James' touchdown-that-wasn't, means that the Steelers will more than likely have to settle for the number two overall seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh has clinched the AFC North and are a perfect 5-0 in the division, but they'll need the to win out and hope the Jets pull off a miracle in New England in order to get home-field advantage. Pittsburgh can clinch a first-round bye with a Jaguars loss to the 49ers.
3. xy-Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 9-2 | first place in AFC South)
Remaining games: at Titans
Tennessee's loss to the Rams clinched the NFC South for the Jaguars, but the Jaguars will not be happy with their loss to the Niners on Sunday. The loss means Jacksonville cannot get a first-round bye, as the Jags are now two games behind both the Patriots and Steelers with only one game remaining. Jacksonville is now locked into the three seed—they have a better AFC record than the Chiefs—so the only incentive now in Week 17's matchup with the Titans is to knock their division rivals out of playoff contention.
4. xy-Kansas City Chiefs (9-6 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 7-4 | first place AFC West)
Remaining games: at Broncos
When Kansas City had lost five in a row to drop to 6-6, the season that once looked so promising appeared to be slipping away. But the Chiefs deserve credit for righting the ship and putting together three straight wins, including a crucial one over the Chargers, to clinch the AFC West and return to the postseason. Kansas City is now locked into the fourth seed, but this team once again appears dangerous after managing to escape a miserable middle of the season.
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-6 | DIV: 3-2 | AFC: 7-4 | second place AFC North)
Remaining games: vs. Bengals
It wasn't pretty, but the Ravens managed to take care of business at home to beat the Colts. That win gets Joe Flacco & Co. on the brink of the postseason—all the Ravens need to do is beat the Bengals at home next week and they'll clinch a playoff berth. And even if they do lose, losses by the Bills and Titans mean the Ravens will get in if either of those teams lose next week. The defense is playing solid, and we all know what Flacco is capable of in the playoffs, so this is a team that no contender wants to see come January.
6. Tennessee Titans (8-7 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 7-4 | second place in AFC South)
Remaining games: vs. Jaguars
Tennessee is trending in the wrong direction by losing three in a row, but the Titans still control their own destiny because they have a better AFC record than the Bills or Chargers. They'll get into the playoffs with a win, but that won't come easy against a Jaguars team that's still fighting for seeding. Tennessee can also back in with a loss if the Bills and Chargers also lose, but no team wants to enter the playoffs on the heels of a four-game losing streak.
Outside looking in
7. Buffalo Bills (8-7 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 6-5 | second place in AFC East)
Remaining games: at Dolphins
Buffalo couldn't realistically have expected to get a win in New England, but Tennesee's loss means the Bills have a good chance of getting to the postseason. That's because the Titans still have to play at the Jaguars, while the Bills have a winnable game against a Dolphins team that was eliminated by losing to the Chiefs. Sean McDermott's team still has everything to play for.
8. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 5-6)
Remaining games: vs. Raiders
The Chargers will think about last week's loss to the Chiefs for a long time. Had they won that game, they'd have taken control of the AFC West, but the loss puts Los Angeles behind the 8 ball. Because the Chargers have such a bad AFC record, the Chargers need to beat the Raiders and have Titans lose next week, but San Diego does have the edge over the Bills by crushing them when Nathan Peterman started at QB.
9. Oakland Raiders (6-8 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 5-6)
Remaining games: at Eagles, at Chargers
The Raiders need to win out and have the Titans and Bills lose in Week 17. Not impossible, but not likely given that Oakland's final two games come in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Mathematically eliminated
10. Miami Dolphins (6-9) | 12. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) | 11. New York Jets (5-9) | 13. Denver Broncos (5-10) | 14. Houston Texans (4-10) | 15. Indianapolis Colts (3-12) | 16. Cleveland Browns (0-15)
NFC
Current Wild Card Round matchups
6. Falcons at 3. Rams, 5. Panthers at 4. Saints.
1. Eagles, 2. Vikings have byes, will host Divisional Round games.
Seeding breakdown
1. xyz-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2 | DIV: 5-0 | NFC: 10-1 | first place in NFC East)
Remaining games: vs. Raiders, vs. Cowboys
In his first game as Carson Wentz's replacement Nick Foles went 24-for-38 for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles became the first team in the NFL to lock up a first-round bye. The Vikings are still right on their heels, but Philadelphia now needs only one win or one Minnesota loss to clinch the top seed in the NFC. The defense looked a little shaky giving up 29 points to the Giants, but a late stand in the red zone showed that the unit can step up at the most important times to help secure a victory.
2. xy-Minnesota Vikings (12-3 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 9-2 | first place in NFC North)
Remaining games: at Packers, vs. Bears
Minnesota got a victory at frigid Lambeau Field—never an easy feat—to get within one win of securing a first-round bye. The Vikings are now huge fans of the Raiders and Cowboys, because if Minnesota beats the Bears and either of those two teams beat the Nick Foles-led Eagles, Minnesota will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That'd put them just two home wins away from becoming the first team in NFL history to play a home Super Bowl—all with Case Keenum at quarterback. Who'd have thunk.
3. xy-Los Angeles Rams (11-4 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 7-4 | first place in NFC West)
Remaining games: at Titans, vs. 49ers
Thanks to another other worldly performance from Todd Gurley, the Rams clinched their first NFC West title since 2003. First-year head coach Sean McVay has to be the favorite for coach of the year, as he's turned around a moribund offense into one of the league's most dynamic units. Los Angeles cannot pass the Vikings and get a first-round bye because they lost to Minnesota this year, so even if the Vikings lose and the Rams win (and both teams finish with four losses), Minnesota would get the edge.
4. x-New Orleans Saints (11-4 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 8-3 | first place in NFC South)
Remaining games: at Buccaneers
New Orleans avenged a Week 15 loss to the Falcons on Sunday by controlling the game from start to finish. Carolina's victory means the Saints still probably need to win next week in order to clinch the NFC South,
5. x-Carolina Panthers (11-4 | DIV: 3-2 | NFC: 7-4 | second place in NFC South)
Remaining schedule: at Falcons
Carolina sputtered for three-and-a-half quarters, but the defense got a stop when it needed it most and Cam Newton led his first game-winning drive in two seasons to clinch a playoff berth. Carolina still has a chance to win the division with a win in Atlanta and a New Orleans loss at the Bucs, but the Panthers are facing a Falcons team that needs a victory to get into the playoffs. That game should be one of Week 17's best matchups. Carolina can finish no worse than fifth in the NFC.
6. Atlanta Falcons (9-6 | DIV: 3-2 | NFC: 8-3 | third place in NFC South)
Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers
Whether it was a Super Bowl hangover or just plain old mediocre football, the Falcons stumbled to a 4-4 start before getting themselves back into playoff contention. It's been an up-and-down season for Dan Quinn's squad, but entering Week 17 their situation is clear as day: Win and in. If the Falcons beats the Panthers, they'll be the third NFC South team to reach the playoffs, but should they lose, they'll need the Lions and Seahawks to follow suit to avoid missing the playoffs the season after reaching the Super Bowl.
Outside looking in
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-6 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 6-4 | second place in NFC West)
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals
Seattle became the first team since 1966 to win with more penalty yards than total offensive yards. But a win is a win, and it kept Seattle in playoff contention while knocking Dallas out. Now Seattle needs to beat the Cardinals at home and hope the Falcons lose at home to the Panthers. If both those scenarios play out, Seattle will get to the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.
Mathematically eliminated
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-7) | 9. Detroit Lions (8-7) | 10. Green Bay Packers (7-8) | 11. Washington Redskins (7-8) | 12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8) | 13. San Francisco 49ers (5-10) | 14. Chicago Bears (5-10) | 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) | 16. New York Giants (2-13)
NFL Playoff Picture: Standings, Matchups, Tiebreakers After Sunday of Week 16
By DANIEL RAPAPORT
As the NFL regular season nears the finish line, the playoff picture is starting to crystallize. In some divisions—like the AFC East, which the Patriots have clinched for the ninth straight time—it's been business as usual, but the Rams and Jaguars have both come back from years of futility to clinch their respective divisions.
Seven out of the eight division titles have been decided, with just the NFC South still up for grabs between the Saints and Panthers. But the Wild Card spots, particularly in the AFC, are still up for grabs with a number of scenarios still in play. We're here to help you sort through the complex bracketology and simplify each team's path to the postseason.
Before we get to the current playoff picture, let's review the qualification rules, which are the same for both the AFC and the NFC.
• The winners of each division—the North, South, East and West—qualify for the playoffs and earn the top four seeds. The team with the best record earns the No. 1 seed, the second-best earns the No. 2 seed, etc. If a team wins its division with a 7-9 record while another team qualifies as a Wild Card with an 11-5 record, the division winner will be seeded higher.
• The two teams with the best record that do not win their division qualify in the Wild Card spots, seeded fifth and sixth.
• If two teams in the same division finish with the same record, the first tiebreaker is their head-to-head record. If the teams split the two games played against each other, the next tiebreaker is the teams' record against teams within the division. If the in-division records are the same, the next tiebreaker is the teams' records in games against common opponents. If that too is is the same, the fourth tiebreaker is the teams' record against teams within the conference.
• If two teams in different divisions finish with the same record, the first tiebreaker is the head-to-head matchup, if applicable. If the teams did not play each other, the next tiebreaker is the teams' record within the conference. If that too is the same, the third tiebreaker is the teams' record against common opponents.
• The top two teams in each conference receive first-round byes. Each conference's No. 3 seed hosts the No. 6 seed, while the No. 4 seed hosts the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card Round.
• In every playoff game, the higher seed hosts the lower seed.
• After the Wild Card round comes the Divisional Round, during which the top seed in each conference plays the lowest remaining seed, while the No. 2 seed plays the higher-seeded team. There is no bracket as there is the NBA playoffs; matchups in the Divisional Round depend on the winners in the Wild Card round.
Now that the clerical stuff is out of the way, let's get to the playoff picture.
Note: (x) = clinched playoff berth |
= clinched division title | (z) = clinched first-round bye | (*) = clinched number one seedAFC
Current Wild Card matchups
6. Titans at 3. Jaguars, 5. Ravens at 4. Chiefs.
1. Patriots, 2. Steelers have byes, will host Divisional Round games.
Seeding breakdown:
1. xy-New England Patriots (12-3 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 9-2 | first place in AFC East)
Remaining games: vs. Jets
The Bills hung around early thanks to an uncharacteristic pick-six thrown by Tom Brady, but the Patriots eventually found their groove offensively and blew out the Bills 37-16. With just a home game against the Jets remaining on the schedule, the Patriots are in terrific shape to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
It appears that, once again, all AFC roads lead to Foxborough. If Jacksonville loses at San Francisco, the Patriots will clinch a first-round bye, and a Pittsburgh loss in Houston would guarantee the Pats home-field advantage before the final week of the season.
2. xy-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3 | DIV: 5-0 | AFC: 8-2 | first place in AFC North)
Remaining games: at Texans, vs. Browns
Last week's brutal loss at home to New England, which was sealed by tight end Jesse James' touchdown-that-wasn't, means that the Steelers will more than likely have to settle for the number two overall seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh has clinched the AFC North and are a perfect 5-0 in the division, but they'll need the to win out and hope the Jets pull off a miracle in New England in order to get home-field advantage. Pittsburgh can clinch a first-round bye with a Jaguars loss to the 49ers.
3. xy-Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 9-2 | first place in AFC South)
Remaining games: at Titans
Tennessee's loss to the Rams clinched the NFC South for the Jaguars, but the Jaguars will not be happy with their loss to the Niners on Sunday. The loss means Jacksonville cannot get a first-round bye, as the Jags are now two games behind both the Patriots and Steelers with only one game remaining. Jacksonville is now locked into the three seed—they have a better AFC record than the Chiefs—so the only incentive now in Week 17's matchup with the Titans is to knock their division rivals out of playoff contention.
4. xy-Kansas City Chiefs (9-6 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 7-4 | first place AFC West)
Remaining games: at Broncos
When Kansas City had lost five in a row to drop to 6-6, the season that once looked so promising appeared to be slipping away. But the Chiefs deserve credit for righting the ship and putting together three straight wins, including a crucial one over the Chargers, to clinch the AFC West and return to the postseason. Kansas City is now locked into the fourth seed, but this team once again appears dangerous after managing to escape a miserable middle of the season.
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-6 | DIV: 3-2 | AFC: 7-4 | second place AFC North)
Remaining games: vs. Bengals
It wasn't pretty, but the Ravens managed to take care of business at home to beat the Colts. That win gets Joe Flacco & Co. on the brink of the postseason—all the Ravens need to do is beat the Bengals at home next week and they'll clinch a playoff berth. And even if they do lose, losses by the Bills and Titans mean the Ravens will get in if either of those teams lose next week. The defense is playing solid, and we all know what Flacco is capable of in the playoffs, so this is a team that no contender wants to see come January.
6. Tennessee Titans (8-7 | DIV: 4-1 | AFC: 7-4 | second place in AFC South)
Remaining games: vs. Jaguars
Tennessee is trending in the wrong direction by losing three in a row, but the Titans still control their own destiny because they have a better AFC record than the Bills or Chargers. They'll get into the playoffs with a win, but that won't come easy against a Jaguars team that's still fighting for seeding. Tennessee can also back in with a loss if the Bills and Chargers also lose, but no team wants to enter the playoffs on the heels of a four-game losing streak.
Outside looking in
7. Buffalo Bills (8-7 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 6-5 | second place in AFC East)
Remaining games: at Dolphins
Buffalo couldn't realistically have expected to get a win in New England, but Tennesee's loss means the Bills have a good chance of getting to the postseason. That's because the Titans still have to play at the Jaguars, while the Bills have a winnable game against a Dolphins team that was eliminated by losing to the Chiefs. Sean McDermott's team still has everything to play for.
8. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 5-6)
Remaining games: vs. Raiders
The Chargers will think about last week's loss to the Chiefs for a long time. Had they won that game, they'd have taken control of the AFC West, but the loss puts Los Angeles behind the 8 ball. Because the Chargers have such a bad AFC record, the Chargers need to beat the Raiders and have Titans lose next week, but San Diego does have the edge over the Bills by crushing them when Nathan Peterman started at QB.
9. Oakland Raiders (6-8 | DIV: 2-3 | AFC: 5-6)
Remaining games: at Eagles, at Chargers
The Raiders need to win out and have the Titans and Bills lose in Week 17. Not impossible, but not likely given that Oakland's final two games come in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Mathematically eliminated
10. Miami Dolphins (6-9) | 12. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) | 11. New York Jets (5-9) | 13. Denver Broncos (5-10) | 14. Houston Texans (4-10) | 15. Indianapolis Colts (3-12) | 16. Cleveland Browns (0-15)
NFC
Current Wild Card Round matchups
6. Falcons at 3. Rams, 5. Panthers at 4. Saints.
1. Eagles, 2. Vikings have byes, will host Divisional Round games.
Seeding breakdown
1. xyz-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2 | DIV: 5-0 | NFC: 10-1 | first place in NFC East)
Remaining games: vs. Raiders, vs. Cowboys
In his first game as Carson Wentz's replacement Nick Foles went 24-for-38 for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles became the first team in the NFL to lock up a first-round bye. The Vikings are still right on their heels, but Philadelphia now needs only one win or one Minnesota loss to clinch the top seed in the NFC. The defense looked a little shaky giving up 29 points to the Giants, but a late stand in the red zone showed that the unit can step up at the most important times to help secure a victory.
2. xy-Minnesota Vikings (12-3 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 9-2 | first place in NFC North)
Remaining games: at Packers, vs. Bears
Minnesota got a victory at frigid Lambeau Field—never an easy feat—to get within one win of securing a first-round bye. The Vikings are now huge fans of the Raiders and Cowboys, because if Minnesota beats the Bears and either of those two teams beat the Nick Foles-led Eagles, Minnesota will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That'd put them just two home wins away from becoming the first team in NFL history to play a home Super Bowl—all with Case Keenum at quarterback. Who'd have thunk.
3. xy-Los Angeles Rams (11-4 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 7-4 | first place in NFC West)
Remaining games: at Titans, vs. 49ers
Thanks to another other worldly performance from Todd Gurley, the Rams clinched their first NFC West title since 2003. First-year head coach Sean McVay has to be the favorite for coach of the year, as he's turned around a moribund offense into one of the league's most dynamic units. Los Angeles cannot pass the Vikings and get a first-round bye because they lost to Minnesota this year, so even if the Vikings lose and the Rams win (and both teams finish with four losses), Minnesota would get the edge.
4. x-New Orleans Saints (11-4 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 8-3 | first place in NFC South)
Remaining games: at Buccaneers
New Orleans avenged a Week 15 loss to the Falcons on Sunday by controlling the game from start to finish. Carolina's victory means the Saints still probably need to win next week in order to clinch the NFC South,
5. x-Carolina Panthers (11-4 | DIV: 3-2 | NFC: 7-4 | second place in NFC South)
Remaining schedule: at Falcons
Carolina sputtered for three-and-a-half quarters, but the defense got a stop when it needed it most and Cam Newton led his first game-winning drive in two seasons to clinch a playoff berth. Carolina still has a chance to win the division with a win in Atlanta and a New Orleans loss at the Bucs, but the Panthers are facing a Falcons team that needs a victory to get into the playoffs. That game should be one of Week 17's best matchups. Carolina can finish no worse than fifth in the NFC.
6. Atlanta Falcons (9-6 | DIV: 3-2 | NFC: 8-3 | third place in NFC South)
Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers
Whether it was a Super Bowl hangover or just plain old mediocre football, the Falcons stumbled to a 4-4 start before getting themselves back into playoff contention. It's been an up-and-down season for Dan Quinn's squad, but entering Week 17 their situation is clear as day: Win and in. If the Falcons beats the Panthers, they'll be the third NFC South team to reach the playoffs, but should they lose, they'll need the Lions and Seahawks to follow suit to avoid missing the playoffs the season after reaching the Super Bowl.
Outside looking in
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-6 | DIV: 4-1 | NFC: 6-4 | second place in NFC West)
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals
Seattle became the first team since 1966 to win with more penalty yards than total offensive yards. But a win is a win, and it kept Seattle in playoff contention while knocking Dallas out. Now Seattle needs to beat the Cardinals at home and hope the Falcons lose at home to the Panthers. If both those scenarios play out, Seattle will get to the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.
Mathematically eliminated
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-7) | 9. Detroit Lions (8-7) | 10. Green Bay Packers (7-8) | 11. Washington Redskins (7-8) | 12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8) | 13. San Francisco 49ers (5-10) | 14. Chicago Bears (5-10) | 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) | 16. New York Giants (2-13)
